The Global Story - The new race to the Moon
Download The new race to the Moon
More than 50 years since the last Apollo mission, Nasa is preparing to send astronauts back to the Moon.
Artemis II will take its crew farther from Earth than any human has travelled in decades - a crucial step towards landing on the lunar surface once again.
At the same time, China has been quietly advancing its own plans for a crewed Moon landing.
Some experts say this signals the start of a new space race – not just for prestige, but to build a long-term presence on the Moon, tap its resources and use it as a stepping stone to Mars. We speak to the BBC’s Science Editor, Rebecca Morelle.
Producers: Valerio Esposito and Cat Farnsworth
Executive producer: James Shield
Mix: Travis Evans
Senior news editor: China Collins
Photo: Official Artemis crew portrait. Josh Valcarcel/NASA Handout/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Published on Monday, 23rd February 2026.
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